24 Pinoy gobs rescued from sinking ship

Twenty-four Filipino seamen rescued from a sinking tanker in the North Atlantic Ocean are on their way home, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

They are temporarily billeted in a hotel in La Coruna, Spain, and are all in good health, the Philippine Embassy in Athens, Greece reported to the DFA.

A helicopter plucked out the 24 Filipinos from MT Prestige which sent a distress call after taking in water off Spain last Nov. 14.

The seamen were identified as Benjamin Castro, Leonilo Cominador, Ernie Mendiola, Joseph Christopher Aloro, Eriberto Borlaza, Christopher Descartin, Ramon Ramirez, Edilberto Batomalaque, Romeo Romines, Jessie Basalo, Walter Cueto, Nicolas Silhay, Reymond Viray, Efren Pajam Jr., Ireneo Maloto, Romeo Yaoyao, Alvaro Escabusa, Roger Apalit, Jose Carmelotes, Nelson Leonard Mortalla, Murphy Mejias, Jose Elly Bedia, Airon Jenelli Valladares and Roberto Mana. — Aurea Calica